Apparatus for controllably applying semifluid and pasty materials



Jan. 21, 1958 L. ARCE ETAL 2,820,572

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY'APPLYING SEMIFLUID AND PAST! MATERIALS Filed July 17, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 M, M 4M w w 2 3 MM v m. in I 5. 1

7 1 w j M INVENTOR.

1958 ARCE ETAL APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY APPLYING SEMIFLUID AND PASTY MATERIALS Filed July 1'7, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Arramvsrf Drive Jan. 21, 1958 L. ARCE EFAL 2,820,672

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY APPLYING SEMIFLUID AND PASTY MATERIALS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 17, 1956 fag. Rm P fl ommzssoe e7 5mm: 6 MUD 1 ram: 2! -19" J3" RELIEF VALVE 1 67% HYD. 9522?? 7.! 5 21%:

VARIABLE av PASS J7" FLOW CONTROL J5" as as I n a9 /////l I42 flea; a1 MAL/4M If V0654 Mara/v C. V0654 INVENTORS.

Jan. 21, 1958 ARCE 2,820,672

El AL APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY APPLYING SEMIFLUID AND PASTY MATERIALS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 17, 1956 E60 & 84 25" JJI com ass-oz ENGINE In if 1:: flee: J5 In WAA/fl/H 1a l aa M 2 4 a9 J45 BY V I I, 1 ,1 J43 9 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY APPLYING SEMIFLUID AND PASTY MATERIALS Lee Arce, William K. Vogel, and Milton C. Vogel, Arcadia, Calif., assignors to Lee-Mart Mfg. (30., Arcadia, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 17, 1956, Serial No. 598,433

18 Claims. (Cl. 29986) This invention relates to an apparatus for conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote supply. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly directed toward means and devices whereby semifluid and pasty materials such as cementitious compositions, sound-absorbing plasters, plastic finishes, thick paints and protective coatings, stuccos, and similar coating materials can be applied to the surfaces of buildings, rooms, walls, ceilings and the like, by means of an applicator which is manually and independently movable, such applicator being removed from a source or supply of the material which is being placed upon such walls, ceilings and the like.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our co pending application Serial No. 417,454, filed March 19, 1954, and now abandoned.

Heretofore plastering machines have been disclosed whereby compositions of a cementitious character containing gypsum and/ or Portland cement could be applied by means of an applicator. Certain of these machines applied the cementitious composition as a sort of a spatter coat by using an applicator provided with revolving brushes, as for example, that shown in United States Letters Patent No. 1,734,044. Other machines employed air for the purpose of placing the plaster mix under air pressure so as to convey the plaster through a flexible hose to an applicator (see, for example, United States Letters Patent No. 2,198,271 and No. 2,618,149). These prior devices have not been satisfactory and it was not possible to accurately regulate the rate at which the materials were supplied to the applicators. Moreover, the apparatus heretofore employed was heavy, not portable, and could not be quickly and easily loaded with premixed plaster, paint, sound-absorbing compositions, or the like.

The present invention is particularly directed to an apparatus which is capable of being controlled by the operator of an applicator located at a point removed from the source of material which is being placed upon the walls or ceilings. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention most effectively utilizes the energy of a prime mover.

Generally stated, the invention relates to a portable frame provided with a supply hopper which can be easily loaded with the material. A mud pump is positioned beneath the hopper for the purpose of forcing the material through a hose or flexible conduit, the remote end of such conduit being provided with an applicator of any suitable design, depending upon the plasticity and consistency of the material being applied and the type of finish which is to be imparted to the surface of a wall or ceiling coated with such material. The frame on which the hopper and mud pump are mounted is also Provided with a primary engine or source of power and a fluid transmission operably connected to the mud pump for driving the same. The primary engine may also drive a compressor in the event compressed air is employed in the applicator. At all events, the applicator includes a trigger-operated 2,820,672 Patented Jan. 21, 1958 ice mechanism whereby the operation of the fluid transmission can be controllably varied without affecting the operation of the primary engine, thereby permitting absolute control as to the rate at which material is supplied to the applicator without the necessity of starting and stopping the engine. The conrol device may be built into the applicator and operate a flow control valve or throttle valve associated with the fluid transmission by way of a relatively small, flexible tube extending from the applicator to the main unit.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to disclose and provide an apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote supply thereof.

A further object of the invention is to disclose and provide apparatus including a fluid or hydraulic transmission associated with means, located at a remote point and associated with an applicator, for controlling the amount of material supplied to such applicator.

Another ob ect of the invention is to disclose and provide apparatus including a power transmission means selectively operably connecting a motor means and a fluid pump with means located at a remote point and associated with an applicator for not only controlling the amount of material supplied to such applicator but also for controlling the selectively operable connection between the mud pump and the motor means. I

A more specific object of this invention is to disclose and provide apparatus including a motor means and "a mud pump and clutch means disengageably connecting the motor means and the mud pump wherein the clutch connecting means may be controlled from a control device on the applicator at a remote location, and wherein the motor means may be returned to idle speed when discharge of material is stopped.

A still further object of this invention is to disclose and provide an apparatus as mentioned above wherein a control device on an independently movable applicator is connected to a source of compressed air, and wherein an air bleeding orifice is associated with the control device for relieving air in part of said air system when discharge of material is discontinued.

This invention contemplates an apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote location wherein control means are provided which utilize high-pressure and low-pressure air supply, said low-pressure air supply being controlled by a control device on the applicator for supplying sufiicient air to the pasty material discharged from the applicator and for actuating a pilot valve for controlling the highpressure air which is utilized to actuate means selectively connecting the mud pump and motor means and to actuate a device associated with throttle means on the engine to bring the engine to idle speed when flow of material from the applicator is stopped.

These and various other objects, uses and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of certain exemplary devices embraced hereby, reference being had, for purposes of illustration, to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic representation of a supply unit, an applicator and control system.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a mobiie unit embodying the elements illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along plane Ill-li[ of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along plane IVIV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one form of applicator adapted for use in the system illustrated in Fig. l.'

Fig.6 is a diagrammatic representation of a modified form of system and controldevice.

Fig. 7 is. a diagrammatic, representation of. .a -.ditt.erent modification of. an applicator. and Jcontrol. systemembodying this invention.

"Fig. 8, is a diagrammatic representation, ofia low. pres sure control system for a modification of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a .diagrammatic ,representation of a high pressure, low pressure .controlsystemifor another modification of thisinvention.

".Fig.. 10 is a fragmentarysectional view of an airbleed means used with the control devices of Figs. 7, 8 .andSQ.

.Fig.. 11 .is a part diagrammatic .and. partsectionalview o'fa control device on an applicator showing a different ,.modification of 'thisIinvention.

As illustrated inFig. 1,.the mobileunitcontaining a source of material, mud pumps and driving elements may comprise .a primary source, of power or. engine ltl tgenerally a. small, internal combustion engine)- operablyconnected to an air compressor. 11 -and also drivinga hydrau- I'lic pump"'12 supplied with suitable fluid as by line 13 from afluid reservoir 14. Fluid under pressure is supplied by thehydraulicpump .12 through lineYIS to a variable .speed, pressureefluid=actuated motor 16, spentfiuid being 'dis'c'hargedfrom suchlmotor 16 back. to -the. reservoir 14 asby'line 17. [The variable speed .fluid motor-16 is operably connectedasbybelt-drivelSto a. mud pump'1'9 ;p'ositioned beneath a supply hopper-20 having anoutle't .port 21 through which plaster,:paint or other cementitious or coating material may be supplied from thehopperto the mud pump 19. vThe mud;p1.unp may .-be of :anyde- ..sire'd type orlconstruction capable ofhandlingthe pasty or semifluid material ,and discharging. it 'into an elongated, "flexible conduitv 22. leading to Yap. applicator generally ,in- Idicated at 23, such .applicator ,being independently :and

:manuallymovable with respect .to the other elements; of

the device.

In the system illustrated in Fig. l, the compressorll ,supplies compressed airby tube26 to control means. lo-

cated in the applicator 23 and controlled by. trigger .24. This trigger may control the amount of; air from theap- ,plicator as by tubing 27; to an.-,actuatingv mechanism 28 ,operably connected with a throttle valve .29 in conduit 15 .of the hydraulic transmission. The hydraulic transmission may be said to comprise-the hydraulic pump 12, a low pressure fluid reservoir 14.-and. the hydraulic fluid .motor 16, as well as. interconnecting; conduits, ports and .the. like. It may also .include-apressure reliefvalve =30 .located, in branch conduit. .15 permittingpressure-fluid to return to thereservoir in the eventthe throttle valve 29 is closed.

By referring to Fig. 5,.it'WilLbe notedthat the applicator .23 is provided with a removable nozzle 33 'communicating with a chamber. 34.which iscapable of being .supplied with semifluidonpasty; materialconveyed to the applicator by hose 22. In the particular formof device illustrated, the incoming .airsupplied by tubing 26, leads into a chamber formed in the handle 35 of the device, "the upper end of suchchamber. including a hollow tube 36 provided with air inlet ports 37. The rear end of the tube'36' is closed and the forward end terminates in a tip "within'chamber 34, said tip" being provided with a forvvardly-directed air outlet SS'eXtending in the direction of the discharge port of nozzle'33. Compressed air will therefore normally be supplied to the'applicator by tubing .26, enter the tube 36 by way of ports 37 and be discharged therefrom in the direction of the nozzle by port-33.

It will be noted that materialsupp'lied to the applicator by conduit 22 canbe shuto'tf at the applicator by means of a slide valve 40 provided witha port 41. The: slide valve isoperably connected to the trigger .2450 that when the trigger is squeezed and moved in the direction-of the .arrow indicated in Fig.5, the slide valve willbe opened,

'the port 41 permitting material to .passintolchamber 34 and be discharged therefrom through the nozzle 33. It

will also be'noted that movement of the trigger 24'opens multiple position control valve 44 permitting compressed air to pass through valve port 45 into discharge passageway 27 in communication with return tube 27.

The multiple position control valve 44 actually controls the supply of material 'to flexible conduit 22. By referring to Fig. .1 it'will be noted that. throttle valve f29.is normally-ina closed position and its arm is. connected to a piston rod 48 of a piston in the actuating mechanism 28. When the trigger24 iszpulled back and control valve 4-4 is opened, a uantity of compressed air willbe supplied through tube 27 to the actuating mechanism 28, causing the piston-and its-piston rod to movethe throttle valve 29. This permits the pressure fluid from the hydraulic pump 12 to pass through conduit 15 to the pressure-fiuid-actuated motor 16, thereby starting such motor, varying its speed in accordance with the amount of. air 'thus'supplied'to the. actuating mechanism23 and thereby varyingthe speed of the mud pump'l9 and theiquantity of materialfsupplied by'flexible hose 22 to the applicator '23.

It may also be noted at this time that valve 44 is biased into closed'pos'ition by means of spring 44 so that normally air under pressure is .not supplied to line 27 and slide 'v'alve40 is closed; The chamber *34 of the applicator is therefore normally empty in "thatcompressed air dischargedthroug'h tubing 36'and port'38'cleans outchamber 534. Attention is also called to the'fact that the actuating meCha'nismZS is provided with a small, bleeding orifice permitting line'2'7 and the chamber in which the piston of the actuating device operates to bleed back to the atmospheric pressure, -permitting .bias spring 29 to close the throttle valve.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a complete operative device embodying the elementsheretofore shown'in somewhat .diagrammatic fashion. 'It willjbeno'tice'd that the mobile supply and driving unit comprises aframe .1, one end of 'th'eframe beingpreferably' supported upon wheels'2, whereas the other endof, the. frame .is supported upon .a pair of bent tubing members '3 provided with handles .4

place to place. The engined!) and compressor 11 may be mounte'dfnear one end of'frame 1. Thehopperitl may be supported from the framev 1 by vertical standards 5,'-'the open top of s'uchsupply hopper 26 being at a .heightpermit'ting ready. dumping of material into the hopper. The mud pump ,19 may be of the progressing cavity :type whereina spiral rotorextends through ,a stator. whose inner surface is provided with a cooperatingspiral groove.

Tubular pumps of this type were devised by Moineau and are generally. known as .Moyno pumps, although other .types of mudpumps capable of handling somewhatabrafsive or thick, pasty materialmay be used.

The entire hydraulic transmission (bounded by dash lines6 in Fig.1) may be. alsomounted on frame Ljthe pump portion of .such hydraulic transmission. being driven by. the enginelil as,by.;belt.7. The actuating mechanism "28 may be connected directly to the side of the .hydraulic transmission assembly, the return-air line 27 .being in the form of a flexibletubingparalleling and preterably .tied to the material, supply conduit 22. Fig. .4 illustrates thelocation ofthe .actuating mechanism -28, the piston rod .48 being pivotally connected: to the arm 29 of .the throttlevalve which is,.in turn, also connected to. the biasing-spring29 tending to-return such valve to closed position.

Attention is drawn/t0 the. fact that in operation of the apparatus described the. engine and "compressor can'be started, the hopper 20 loaded i/vith material. to be applied atsome remotepoint by the applicator23, and although the hydraulic pump12 is constantly driven, the mud pump .19. and its operation isabsolutely controlled by thez operator handling the applicator .23. The amount ofmovementimparted the .trigger24. controls thesupply of. material to theapplicator. The slide v'alve 40 can be dispensed with completely and is only used in order to prevent material remaining in supply hose 22 from flowing out of the applicator when the applicator is laid down upon the ground after having been used. The control of the supply of material to the applicator is extremely flexible and such material may be supplied at rates under the control of the operator and depending entirely upon the position of the trigger 24. As a result, the operator may apply thin or thick coatings and produce diflerent effects and surface finishes.

A somewhat modified form of device is illustrated in Fig. 6, wherein the motor or engine is shown driving a fluid pump 12', such pump being supplied with low pressure fluid as by line 13' from a fluid reservoir 14' acting as a jacket around supply hopper 20'. This arrangement permits the heat generated in the hydraulic fluid to be absorbed by the material in the supply hopper. Fluid under considerable pressure is discharged by line 15 to a throttle valve 29' provided with an actuating mechanism 28. The pressure fluid is thus independently supplied to a pressure fluid actuating motor 16' operably connected to a mud pump 19' capable of receiving material from the hopper 20 and discharging it from a flexible conduit 22 leading to an applicator 53. This applicator is shown provided with a discharge opening 54 (which may be in the form of an elongated slot) surrounded by a slightly curved troweling plate 55. The handle of the applicator is again provided with a trigger or control element 56, this control element being capable of moving a piston 57 acting upon a body of oil 58 in the chamber beneath the piston and in tubing 59 leading to a similar closed chamber of the actuating device 28'.

' It will be evident that movement of the trigger 56 will impart considerable pressure to the fluid in 58, 59 and 29, thereby causing a movable piston in the chamber of actuating device 28 to move the throttle valve 29'. The stem of piston 57 is biased in upper position by means of a spring 61} so that normally throttle vavle 29 is closed and motor 16 is not driven, pressure fluid bypassing the the motor through a pressure relief valve 30'. The system illustrated in Fig. 6 is particularly useful when pasty plaster mixes are being applied and does not require the use of compressed air. For this reason a compressor H is simply indi-ated in dash lines in Fig. 6 and need not be used.

In Fig. 7 is diagrammatically illustrated a different modification of this invention following generally the diagrammatic illustration of Fig. l. Wherever possible like parts are given like reference numerals with a double prime sign.

An engine or motor means 10" may be provided with a driving connection illustrated at 7" with a pressurefluid pump means 12". The pump means 12" is supplied with fluid from a low-pressure fluid reservoir 14" through a line 13". Fluid from line 13" is introduced to the pump means 12" at an inlet 65. An outlet 66 is connected to a line 15" which provides fluid communication with a pressure-fluid motor 16". The pressure-fluid motor 16 may be connected to a mud pump 19 by any suitable means such as a chain drive indicated at 18". A discharge port of the mud pump 19" may be connected to a flexible conduit which provides fluid communication with an independently movable applicator 23". Spent fluid from the pressure-fluid motor means 16" may be conveyed to the reservoir 14" by means of a return line 17".

Adjacent the reservoir 14" may be provided a bypass line 67 interconnecting line 13" and line 15". The bypass line 67 may be provided with a relief valve 68. Between bypass line 67 and its connection to line 15" and the pressure-fluid motor means 16" may be provided a line 69 connected to line 15" at 70 and to reservoir 14". The line 69 may be provided with a preset, flow control valve generally indicated at 71. The flow control valve 71 may be preset prior to operation of the applicator to bypass a selected amount of pressure fluid to the reservoir for driving the fluid motor 16" at a preselected speed under conditions of full flow of fluid from the pump 12". The pump 12", reservoir 14", motor 16" and the lines associated therewith provide a fluid transmission 6" indicated by phantom lines as in the prior embodiment.

In this modification of the invention, adjacent to the pressure-fluid pump 12", the line 13" and the outlet line 15" may be provided with a bypass 73. The bypass line 73 is provided a connection at 74 to a line 13" and at its connection to line 15" a three-way valve means 75 may be provided. The three-way valve means 75, in one position, may bypass all of the fluid pumped by pump 12" into the inlet line 13' to recirculate pumped fluid, if necessary, and to stop flow of fluid to motor means 16". In a second position, three-way valve 75 may be fully opened to permit virtually all of the fluid being pumped to flow along line 15 to the pressurefluid motor means 16" for driving said motor. The fluid driving motor means 16 is regulated to a selected amount by valve 71. When the three-way valve means is in first position (closed), recirculation of fluid through the pump 12" permits the engine 10" to continue to operate at running speed while flow of plastic material is discontinued from the applicator 23".

Means for controlling the three-way valve 75 includes air under pressure controlled by a control device 24 located at the applicator 23". A compressor 11" driven by engine 10" provides a source of air under pressure which is communicated to the control device 24" by a flexible conduit or pipe means 26". The pressure air supplied in this embodiment may be of low pressure and is connected to the applicator for combining with flow of plastic material through a conduit 76 carried by applicator 23". The low pressure air supplied to device 24" is also provided with communication through a flexible duct 27" to the three-way valve 75 by a connection at 77. The pressure air supplied through duct 27" actuates the three-way valve 75 by well known means.

It will thus be apparent that actuation of control device 24" at applicator 23" provides a control means for hydraulic transmission 6" so as to control the discharge of material from mud pump 19". The actuation of the three-way valve to closed position bypasses pressure fluid back to the hydraulic pump so that the fluid motor 16" ceases to drive the fluid motor 16". When the control device 24" is actuated to open the threeway valve for flow of pressure fluid from pump 12" through line 15" to motor 16", the motor drives mud pump 19" at a preselected speed as determined by the setting of the variable by-pass flow control valve 71.

When the control device 24" is actuated to cease operation of the mud pump 19", pressure air in duct 27" must be relieved. In Fig. 10, an air relief means associated with control device 24" is illustrated in only fragmentary form. Pressure air from pipe means 26" may be introduced through an inlet 80 to a chamber 81 having valved communication to an outlet 82 which is connected to duct 27". At one end of chamber 81 may be provided a hollow valve body 83 having a port 84 adjacent outlet 82. Within the body 83 is mounted a biased coaxial valve member 85 provided with a tapered valve head 86 cooperable with a complementary tapered valve seat 87 on body 83. The valve member 85 includes an elongated stem 38 extending through the body 83 and having an outer enlarged end 89 slidably guided in a retainer nut 92 threaded on the end of body 83 and sealably seated on the end face of device 24 therefrom. A spring 90 seated against a shoulder 91 on the valve member biases valve member 85 into closed position. Internal longitudinal relief passageways 94 provided in the end of body 83, may be closed by enlarged end 89 when the valve is open. The outer end .tface "ofT89; is radaptedito contact the trigger-means of the controlrdevice Mf. ,Thus -.When the-trigger means is actuated,;;pres'sure againstzend 89 of thevvalvemember a will openithevalve ,to ;p ermit: fiow of air' through-cham- :ber: 81, port 184,: and outlet 82. When fthe trigger means is released, the valve member 35.is biased to closed ztposition aan'd :pressure 7 air. in duct 27" is permitted to bleed ;.to atmosphere .through .themow open gpassage- -w,ays 94.

Theprior embodiments show afiuid-transmission for driving of the mudpump .and .control means at: theqapplicater for the fluidtransmission to. control and vary the 'materialdischarge, the control-means utilizing. pressure air. :In 1 Fig.- 8 a-, modification is shown in -which -a z-mechanical transmissionof driving power forthe mud .pump is usedand in-which;,pressure-.air ;contro1 meansiscooperably associated with the mechanical f transmission .;means for control-thereof.

' :In Fig. 8 a compressor1 1"may;provide:a source of low-pressure compressed air. As in the prior embodiment a control means.24"' isfprovide'd onan applicatorZS. A flexible pipe meansZG' connects.- the compressorll' 'with'the control device 124': and saidgflexible pipe means may be providedwithja -suitable ;reliefvalve indicated at 100. A clutch means-generally indicatedgat 101 provides means for disengageablyconnecting engine .10 1 with mud ,pump :19; lu t-this embodiment fluidpressure line itllconnects;controludevice 24' with the clutch 101 andjsaid clutchisprovidedwithan actuating means 1413 responsive toiair pressure tor'engagement and disengagementof the clutch. Thus when the control device 24' is actuated flowofcompre'ssedair atlow pressureis, provided through the line -1tl2,to;,-the clutchand the "clutch may be actuated into engaged ;.position for,

I causing the engine to drivethe mud purnpiw similarly a throttlerneansltld on engine 10. maybe connected to .a cylinder and piston actuator means 135 therefor which. may. be connected by line 166 to the outlet of the low-pressure airifrom the control device 24". Thus when low-pressure 'air is admitted into the line 1%, actuatingmeans-1d5 causes the engine accelerator to be moved to a predetermined setting wherebythe engine will operate ataselected speed. vUpon deactivation of the control. means 24' forstopping discharge of material from the applicator, the relief of pressure air on one side of the pistonand cylinder means 1% will cause the en gine throttlemeans toreturn to anormalidle position. It will thus be readily apparent-thatcontrol means 24' at the applicator not only will control the rate of discharge of the material but will also automaticallydisengage the clutch 191 so that the mud pump will no. longer be driven to provide flow of material to the applicator, and the engine which drives the mudpump will be brought to idle speed.

In Fig. 9 is shown another modification of the control means for disengaging a mechanical powertransmission between an engineand a mud pump and for controlling the speed of the engine. In some apparatuses of large capacity, it may be desirable to employ a source of high pressure airand'Figg9 illustrates diagrammatically a highlow pressure systemfor accomplishing control of a clutch means and an engine in connection with control of a mud pump as described in the prior embodiments.

In Fig. 9 a compressor means 111 provides a source of high-pressure air and is provided with .a connection to a high-pressure conduit 112 which is provided at its other end with an air pressure regulator 113. The outlet side or" regulator 113 may be connected to a low-pressure line 114 which is connected to a control device 115 on an applicator 116. The outlet sideof the control, device 115 for low-pressure air may be connected to a low-pressure line117 which iscOnnected to apilot valve 118. Between the compressor 111 and the pressure regulator 113,

";the high-pressure-line=112-may be provided with a pres- -sure relief valve of any' well 'knownnia'nufacture atlizti. 4

A high-pressure line 121 is provided with a connection .to. line 112 adjacent relief valve and is-alsoiconnected at123 to pilotvalve 118. The high-pressure -.air cornmunicates through the ;.pilot valve to ranqoutlet at 124 which is-connected to high-pressure line 125 which is connected'to a pneumatically actuated clutchmeansor means for disengageably connecting theengine and the motor means; generally indicated by 127. The high-pressure line 125 is also provided a .connection to high-pressure line 128 which is connected to an actuating :means 123 which may be connected to an engine throttle means .as' described in the prior embodiment.

Thus in the high-pressurecontrol'system described ,above it will be readily apparent that actuation ofthe shown is a portion of the control device similar to that of Fig. 10 and shows a means for variably regulating control pressure air which is employed to vary flow of material from the applicator.

The diagrammatic portionof Fig. .11 is similar to the flow control arrangement of Fig. 1 and includes an actuating mechanism 28'operably connected to a throttle valve 29 in conduit 15 of the hydraulic transmission shown in Fig. 1. The'throttle valve29 includes an arm connected to a piston 48 of actuating mechanism 28. A

. spnng29'is connected to the arm to bias the throttlevalve to. closed position. The actuating mechanism 28 is .con-

nected by a conduit 141 to an outlet port 142 of control device 140.

The control device comprisesan air inlet 143 in communication with the through passageway in the control device. The inlet 143 leads to an inlet chamber 144 separated from an outlet chamber 145 by a valved ported partition wall 146, said ported wall 146 providing a tapered valve seat at 147. A needle valve element 148 is provided with a valve head cooperable with valve seat 1 2-7. The end of valveelement 1% within outlet chamber 145 is tapered and cooperates with a hollow control rod 159 provided with a bore 151 having a valve seat 152 cooperable withthe. tapered end of valve element 148. 'The,

control rod 15! is secured in any suitable manner to-a flex- 'ible resilient diaphragm 153 which defines one wall ofoutlet chamber'1'45. 'A chamber154 provided on the other side of diaphragmi153 is. provided with an air bleed portf155 for communication with atmosphere .to relieve pressure ..municates with atmosphere through portsJ provided in the press button 157. =Spring'159 and 160 are balanced so that equal pressure on both sides of wall146 will maintain valveelement in closed position on seat l52iand-in selected relation with valve seat147.

in operation of this modification, pressure. ag ainst'button 157 will cause valve element-143 to .open,to admit pressure air into .outlet chamber, 145 and into commufiication with "the actuatingmechanismls for'. responsi.ve action of the'flow control vnveza; .Sii1ce .theialvegele- 7 ment 148 meters ,the'fiow poi pressureair, aselectedilpiiessure is transmitted to actuating mechanism 28 to move the ajs'aomg flow control valve 2? to a selected position. If greater flow of material is desired, further pressure against button 157 will open valve element 148 to admit greater pressure to the actuating mechanism 28.

In the event there is an unbalance of air pressure between inlet and outlet chambers 144 and 145, such unbalance will automatically be compensated for by diaphragm 153. For example, if pressure decreases in outlet chamber 145, diaphragm 153 will respond thereto by moving inwardly urging needle valve element 148 further into inlet chamber 144 to increase the opening of the valved port to increase pressure air in outlet chamber 145.

In the event pressure in outlet chamber 145 exceeds a' desired pressure for a selected position of button 157, then diaphragm 153 moves outwardly of chamber 145 to thereby open bore 151 to bleed excess pressure air to atmosphere.

It will thus be readily apparent that by controlling the pressure air in communication with the actuating mechanism 28, a variable control of the hydraulic transmission (through flow control valve 29) can be achieved whereby variable control of discharge of material from the applicator is accomplished.

From the description given, it will be evident that the apparatus is compact, easily transported or moved into buildings or rooms is self-contained and free from electrical wiring, switches and attachments which are capable of shorting, fouling or otherwise causing trouble. A single operator can use the entire unit. The primary power source need not be started or stopped repeatedly. The unit is free from valves interfering with the free flow of material to the applicator. The operator has complete and flexible control over the rate at which material is supplied to his applicator by reason of the multiple position control means at the applicator. It is to be understood that various types of applicators, nozzles, etc., may be used and the invention is not limited to the specific forms of devices illustrated, but instead embraces all changes and modifications of the inventive concept here disclosed and covered by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote supply thereof, comprising: a frame provided with a material supply hopper having a bottom outlet port; a mud pump positioned beneath said outlet port and adapted to receive material therefrom; a variable speed, pressure-fluid-actuated motor for driving the mud pump; a closed hydraulic system connected to said fluid-actuated motor including a low-pressure fluid reservoir, a pressure fluid pump, means for conveying fluid from the fluid motor to said reservoir and fluid pump, conduit means for conveying pressure fluid from the fluid pump to said fluid-actuated motor and a throttle valve in the last-named conduit means, said valve being provided with an actuating mechanism; a compressor; a primary source of power operably connected to said pressure-fluid pump and compressor; a manually movable applicator including a material inlet port, a material discharge port and a trigger-operated, multiple position air valve; flexible conduit connecting the discharge outlet of the mud pump with the material inlet port of the applicator; flexible tubing connected to the compressor for supplying compressed air to the air valve of the applicator; and a flexible return air tubing from said applicator to the actuating mechanism of said throttle valve for conveying air as modulated by said triggeroperated multiple position air valve to said throttle valve to vary the rate at which material is supplied to the applicator by the mud pump.

2. Apparatus of the character stated in claim 1, wherein the low-pressure fluid reservoir of said closed hydraulic system is in heat-exchange relation to material in said hopper.

3. Apparatus of the character stated in claim 2, tin

i6 eluding means for discharging air, by the multiple position air valve, discharge port of the applicator.

4. Apparatus of the character stated in claim 1, wherein the mud pump is of the helical type, material is supplied to said pump which is not returned through the material by gravity and no air is introduced into the flexible conduit for material conveyed to the applicator.

5. Apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote supply thereof, comprising: a frame; a material supply hopper provided with a bottom outlet port, carried by the frame; a mud pump positioned beneath the outlet port of the supply hopper, said mud pump having a discharge port adapted to be connected to one end of an elongated flexible conduit, the other and removed end of said conduit being connected to an applicator; a variable speed, pressurefluid-actuated motor operably connected to the mud pump to drive the latter; a pressure fluid pump carried by the frame; a motor carried by the frame and operably connected to the fluid pump to drive the latter; a closed conduit system for fluid, including a low-pressure fluid reservoir, for supplying fluid to said fluid pressure pump and conveying pressure fluid from said pump to said fluidpressure-actuated motor, a throttle valve in the conduit conveying pressure fluid to the fluid-actuated motor, an actuating mechanism for the throttle valve and means for supplying a different fluid to said actuating mechanism including a tube from said actuating mechanism to the applicator and control means located at the applicator for such difierent fluid.

6. Apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote supply thereof, comprising: a frame; a material supply hopper provided with an outlet port and carried by the frame; a mud pump positioned beneath the outlet port of the supply hopper, said mud pump having a discharge port adapted to be connected to one end of an elongated flexible conduit, the other end of said conduit being connected to an applicator; a pressure fluid actuated motor operably connected to the mud pump to drive the same; a pressure fluid pump carried by the frame; a motor carried by the frame and operably connected to the fluid pump to drive the latter; a closed conduit system for fluid including a low pressure fluid reservoir for supplying fluid to said fluid pressure pump and conveying pressure fluid from said pump to said fluid pressure motor; a valve means in the conduit conveying pressure fluid to the fluid actuated motor; an actuating mechanism for the valve; means for supplying a different fluid to said actuating mechanism including a tube from said actuating mechanism to the applicator; and a control means located at the applicator for such different fluid.

7. An apparatus as stated in claim 6 wherein said valve means include a three way valve.

8. Apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote supply thereof, comprising: a material supply hopper provided with an outlet port; a mud pump connected to said port in fluid communication therewith; an applicator; a flexible conduit connecting the applicator and mud pump in fluid communication; a motor means connected to the mud pump to drive said pump; a source of compressed air; means connecting said said motor means and mud pump for driving and non-driving relation; and means to control the quantity of material discharged by said mud pump,

said control means being on said applicator and' including flexible tube means providing communication between said control means and the source of compressed air; and means connecting said control means with said motor and mud pump connecting means for actuating.

said connecting means.

In an apparatusas .stated in claim ,8- whereinr a d control means includes a bleedgelement for relievingai in. the means connecting .saidcbritrolnieans with; the mo tor and mud pump connecting means.

10. In an apparatus for controllablylconveying. toand discharging from an independently movable applicator semi-fluid and pasty materials from a remote supplythereof, comprising: a mud pump connected to a material supply hopper; an independently movable =applicator; a flexible conduit connecting the applicator and mud pump in fluid communication; a motor means. to drive. the mud pump; means selectively connecting the motor means and the mud pump; a source of compressed air; and control means on the applicator to vary the discharge of material from the applicator, said control means being connected in fluid communication to the source of compressed air; and means connecting the control means with .said selective connecting means and responsive to actuation of said control means for control offlow of material from the mud pump.

11. In an apparatus ,as stated in claim including throttle means for the motor means, an actuating device for the throttle means, and means connecting the control means to the actuating device for varying. the position'of the throttle means to change the speed of the motor means.

12. An apparatus as stated in claim 10 including alhighvpressure source of compressed air, a pressure regulator between said compressed air source and said applicator to provide low pressure air at said applicator; means connecting said high pressure air source to saidmeans selec' tively connecting the motor means and the motor ,pump and including a pilot valve; means connecting'the applicator to said pilot valve for low-pressure-air :communication therebetween for response of the pilot .valve thereto for communication of high pressure air to said connecting means for actuation thereof.

13. An apparatus as stated in claim 12 includinga throttle means for the motor means, an actuating device for the throttle means, and'means. connecting the high- "pressure air between the actuating device and gthe pilot .valve for varying the position of; the throttle means to change the speed of the motor means.

14. An apparatus of the character describedinclu'ding a mud pump having a discharge port and a fiexible'conduit connected to said port, motor means'for drivingsaid mud pump, and a source of compressed air, the combination of: an independently movable applicator connected ,toxone'end of the, flexible conduit for receiving .anddischarging material :pumpedby said mud pump; a flexible pipe means providingcommunication between said applicator and thesourcesoficompressed air and serving to :tacilitategdischarge:of material from said applicator;;a v.controlcdevice carried by.;the:applicator.for control at said applicator of air supplied from saidsource :of compresse1d;airthrough-the flexible pipe means; a throttle valve means COHI1Ctd.;With said :motor means for con- :trolling the-quantity ofmaterialzdischarged by themud pumputhroughlthe.-applicator;:and actuating means for said throttle valve means including pressure air conduit ;means separate from said flexible pipe means and in com- ,munication therewithat said-control device connecting said actuating means and said'control device whereby said actuatingmeaus is responsive to said control device for controlling said .motorgmeans for varying the flow of material from said :mud: pump and discharged through the applicator.

15., In :angapparatusfor controllably conveying to and :discharging :from anindependently movable applicator :.semifluid.andapastycmaterials'from-a remote supply there- :of including 'aymud pump having a discharge port, an elongated flexibleconduit for said -material having one end-connected toisaid discharge port and the other 4 end r-to said applicator, motor means-for 'drivingthe v mud pump, and a source of compressed*air=serving-only=-to '12 facilitate fiowof materialfrom and at the applicator and to actuatermeans responsive thereto for regulating .flow of said material, the combination of: anapplicatorcongreeted to ,said other end of said flexible conduit; flexible V pipe .means interconnecting said applicator zwith Said source ofcompressed air;,a control device carried by.the

applicator; and means to vary the discharge of material from the applicator including an air control line connectved to the control device, a valve means connected with theair control linebetween the control device and .the motor means driving said mud pump, said valve means .being responsive to pressure air in said air control line as controlled by said control device to vary the material ..discharged through said applicator.

16. In an apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semifluid and pasty materials from a remote supplythereof including a mud pump having a discharge port, elongated flexible conduit having one end connected to said discharge port, motor means operably connected to the mud pump for driving the latter, and asource'of compressed air, the combination of: an applicator connected to the other end of said flexible conduit; flexible air pipe means interconnecting in fluid communication :said applicator with said source of compressed air; :a control device carried by the applicator for regulation of material discharged through said'applicator, said control device including means to variably regulate pressure air at said applicator; valve means operably connected to said motor means between said motor means and said control device; and actuating means for said valve means including air control conduit means separate from said air pipe means interconnecting said actuating means and said control device for communication of pressure air therebetween whereby said actuating means is responsive to said control device for variable operation of said valve means whereby said mud pump is variably driven'tovary control of material discharged throughthe applicator.

17. In an apparatus for controllably conveying to and discharging from an independently movable applicator semi-fluid and pasty materials from a remote supply thereof comprising: a positive displacement material pumpadapted to be-operatively connected to a-inaterial supply hopper; an independently movable applicator; a flexible material conduit interconnecting in communication the applicator and pump; a source of compressed air; anairsupply line fromsaid source to said applicator; means :for driving said pump independently of said compressed air source; means for .selectively intercon- ;necting thepump drive means and the pump; and means at the applicator for controlling the pump drive means to vary flow of material from saidapplicator and includinga control device at said applicator; an air control line, separate from said air supply line, connected to said control device and to said interconnecting means for the drive'means and the pump, .valve means associated with said air controlline and including an actuating mechanism .responsive to pressure air in said control line as controlled by said control device whereby said means interconnecting the drive means-and the pump isfespousive to said pressure air through said actuating mechanism and valve means for varying' material flow from the pump.

18. In an apparatus forcontrollably conveyingto and discharging from an independently movable applicator semi-fluid and pasty materials from a remote supply thereof including material supply hopper, a material pump means supplied from said-hopper, a source of pressure air, and motonmeans actuated'by other than 'air pres- 'sure for driving the pump means comprising, in combination: an independently movable applicator re inote from said pump means; a first flexible conduit forlco nveying material from said pump means to said applicator; a second flexible conduit "conveying pressure air'from said source of pressure air to said applicator; a control may be regulated Without stopping flow of pressure air device at said applicator provided with communication from said source of pressure air through said applicator. with said pressure air delivered by said second flexible conduit; a valve means connected to said motor means References Clted 1n the file 0f thls Patent for controlling driving of said pump means; actuating 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS means for said valve means; and a third flexible conduit for connecting said control device to said actuating means 2552763 Bauinann May 1951 2,705,132, Neville Mar. 29, 1955 for communication of pressure ear with sald actuating 2763 513 Paradise p 18 1956 means for selective operation of said valve means where- 2,779,627 Gray Jan. 29, 1957 by flow of material from said pump to said applicator 10 Disclaimer 2,820,672.Lee Ame, William K. Vogel, and Milton 0'. Vogel, Arcadia, Calif. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY APPLYING SEMIFLUID AND PASTY MATERIALS. Patent dated Jan. '21, 1958. Disclaimer filed Aug. 7 1961, by the assignee, Lee-Mawt Mfg. 00. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 12 and 13 of said patent.

[Ofiical Gazette September 11, 1.962.]

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate Patent No. 2,820,672 Patented January 21, 1958 Lee Arce, William K. Vogel and Milton C. Vogel Application having been made jointly by Lee Arce, William K. Vogel and Milton C. Vogel, the inventors named in the patent above identified, and Lee-Mart Mfg. Co., Arcadia, California, a corporation of California, the assignee, for the issuance of a certificate under the provisions of Title 35, Section 256 of the United States Code, deleting the names of the said William K. Vogel and the said Milton C. Vogel from the patent as oint inventors, and a showing and proof of facts satisfying the requirements of the said section having been submitted, it is this 27th day of March 1962, certified that the names of the said William K. Vogel and the said Milton C. Vogel are hereby deleted from the said patent as joint inventors with the said Lee Arce.

[SEAL] EDWIN L. REYNOLDS, First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,820,672 January 21 1958 Lee Arce It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered petent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent shouldread as corrected below.

Column 1, line 29', for "our" read my Signed and sealed this 7th day of August I962.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

